How to Change a Diaper
Changing a diaper can be challenging for a new parent. Or for a parent who’s kiddo just started crawling. That’s right. You think you’ve got it all figured out and then your baby throws a curveball with diaper changes soon transforming into battles of power and parents quickly becoming unwilling participants in a game of catch me if you can.
But first there is the newborn stage, and if that’s where you are at we’d like to offer our sincerest congratulations on the little miracle of your own. Diaper changes, feeding routine, sleeping routine; it will all seem overwhelming at first but you will soon get the hang of it and be an expert in your own way.
Tips and tricks before you get started
- How often should you change diapers? Absolutely every time they are soiled. We recommend changing newborn diapers as often as 10 times a day. This is to protect their sensitive skin from continued exposure to moisture and especially from potential exposure to the combination of runny poop with urine. (Biggest diaper rash culprit!) Babies at different ages and pee outputs will require different attention in regards to diaper changes.
- Create a safe environment for diaper changing. Make sure baby is not in danger of falling off or rolling off and never leave your little one unattended during diaper changes. A changing table, a crib or even a clean floor with a towel or changing pad all work. Make sure to keep one hand on your baby at all times so you know they are secure. While newborns won’t be able to move much, by 4 months of age your little one will be learning how to roll so it’s important to always practice safety.
- Have wipes handy. If you’re wondering, “are baby wipes safe?”, we’ve got the answers. You will want to choose high quality wipes that are gentle on your baby’s skin and have no harsh chemicals. Especially look out for alcohol and fragrances which could irritate your baby’s skin. Practice washing your hands before and after changes or wipe your hands with a Parasol baby wipe.
- Keep wipes and other items out of reach from baby to avoid accidents and messes. Do give your little one a toy if they are in need of a distraction, though.
Steps on how to change a diaper
- Unfold a clean diaper and leave it handy by setting it to one side
- Lay your baby down on their back on the changing space
- Remove any item of clothing that could be compromised or block access such as pants, socks and shoes.
- Remove soiled diaper by unfastening the tabs along their waist. Grab your baby by their ankles and gently lift them up so as to slide the used diaper away from them.
- Gently clean the genital area from the front to the back with a high quality, gentle baby wipe. Make sure you clean between all folds of skin.
- Carefully lift baby again by the ankles and place a clean diaper underneath. Make sure you position the diaper the right way around: The back of our Parasol disposable diapers have a stretchy waist and fastening tabs, the front will have a landing zone stripe with little wave patterns.
- Next place the front of the diaper on baby’s belly. Peel open the back tabs and stretch them to place them down on the front landing zone (with the wave pattern) in a straight line. The waist should seal right under the belly button. Make sure the diaper isn’t too tight or too loose around the tummy. You should be able to slide two fingers into the diaper so your little one has room to breathe and move freely. You can adjust the diaper throughout the day by opening and closing the tabs as often as you need to provide a good fit.
- Fold the dirty diaper with the mess inside into a little burrito and use the sticky tabs to seal it up.
- Throw the disposable dirty diaper away. Redress your little one and wash or wipe your hands.
Tips and tricks as your baby grows
- Understand the diaper size table is only a guideline. Read on our fit tips and how to self diagnose leakages to understand better diaper sizing.
- Practice prevention in diaper rashes. Diaper rash is most typically caused by irritation due to prolonged exposure to humidity, urine, and feces, or a combination of the three. Sometimes baby wipes can cause rash and irritation too, so be cautious with what you use. Change the diaper often and practice keeping their skin dry by patting their bums dry with a clean cloth after washing. Always clean thoroughly with a baby wipe after every change to avoid irritation (especially those involving feces!) Read to learn different baby wipe uses.
- As your baby grows consider changing to a diaper pant! Diaper changing routines are different with diaper pants but pants can provide a snug fit around the waist to prevent leakages and will be easier to put on a crawling and rolling baby!
As you familiarize with diaper changes you can expect some screaming, kicking or squirting mess at times but ultimately the best tips and styles will come from you as you learn your baby’s language and habits.
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